Louvered register



Muy- 23, 1944. w. FlED'LER 2,349,544

LOUVERED REGISTER Filed 0G12. 13, 1942 2' Sheets-51189111 d+* INV BY M .PW

ATTORNE 5 May 23, 1944. H w FIEDLER y 2,349,544

' LOUVERED REGISTER Filed oct. 15. 1942 'n 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Hang WIeder Patented May 23, 1944 UNITED `STATES 4PATENT OFFICE LOUVERED REGISTER Harry W. Fiedler, Scarsdale, N. Y. Application October 13, 1942, Serial No. 461,854

2 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to louvered registers and has particular reference to certain improvements in the structure and method of assembling such devices.

The type of register to which my invention is primarily directed consists essentially of a pair of opposed parallel supporting walls between which a set of parallel louver blades are mounted. :Certain phases of my invention are not necessarily restricted, however, to this specic type of structure.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide certain simpliications in the structural nature and mode of interconnection of the various parts, whereby manufacturingcosts are reduced, and quantity production is expedited. A coordinate object of the invention lies in the provision of a simplied procedure to be followed in assembling the parts, whereby uniformly efficient and reliable assemblies may be produced in large quantities in a minimum amount of time.

Registers of the present character are extensively used on naval vessels of all types, in factories, and for other similar purposes. The registers are generally composed of metal, and the severe conditions under which they are used require that the registers be of staunch and rugged character, able to withstand not only physical shocks but also atmospheric conditions of varied kinds. Since the louvers are movable to control the flow of air through the register, the construction must be of such a character that reliable control of the louvers is aiorded at all times. My invention aims to provide a structure which will comply with these requirements.

One of the factors which frequentlyimpairs the continuance of smooth and elllcient operation of the register is the rusting or corroding of the parts, especially in the regions of pivotal connection between the louver blades and the supporting frame. It is a particular object of my invention to provide a construction which is unusually suited to withstand corrosion in thes regions.

I achieve these general objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a register constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the same register as viewed from the top of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the register;

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Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.;

Figure 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the. lines 1 1 of Fig- The frame has a substantially flat portion 20 ar- K ranged in a single plane which is parallel to the wall, ceiling, or other surface in which the register is to be mounted. Openings 2| are provided in this portion of the frame for the purpose of receiving screws or similar fastening elements. A rearwardly directed marginal ange 22 is preferably provided at the edge. i

The two pairs of parallel supporting walls are perpendicular to the frame portion 20, and extend rearwardly. One pair of opposed supporting walls is designated by the reference numeral 23,

. the other pair by the reference numeral 24. The

frame is preferably composed of four separate sections each of which comprises one of the Walls 23-24 and a corresponding piece of the frame portion 20, these sections being welded together along mitred lines of connection when the structure is assembled during manufacture.

In the register herein chosen for illustration, the frame supports two separate sets of louver blades. One set of blades 25 is mounted between the opposed walls 24. VA second set is arranged behind the set 25 and at right angles to the latter, and is mounted between the opposed sup-` porting walls 23. This second or rear set is most clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, and has been shown as consisting of only three relatively wide louver blades 26, 21 and 28. It will be understood, however, that any desired or suitable number of blades may be provided in either set. It' will also be understood, that, with respect to `certain phases of myV invention, it is not essential that the register be provided with a forward and a rear set of louver blades.

In the illustrated structure, the blades 25 of the forward set (arranged vertically as viewed in Figure 3) are independent of one another, and the pivotal adjustment of one will have no effect upon the others. It is intended that these forward louvers will be set by hand in substantially parallel positions when the register is installed, the angularity of these louver blades being determined by the particular location and purpose of the register as a whole.

On the other hand, the set which happens to be shown at the rear in the illustrated register (consisting of the blades'25, 21 and 28) is pivotally interconnected by means of the links 29 so that movement of any one of these blades Will effect a corresponding movement of the' others` of this set.

Referring for the moment to the forward set 25, attention is particularly directedy to Figures 2, 6, and 1. Each of the blades is preferably formed of a single blank of suitable sheety metal folded and doubled upon itself as shown in Figure 6 so that the rear end 3D of theblade has a substantially circular configuration. At its opposite ends, the portion 33 is extended laterally to form opposedly projecting pivot portions-one; of which is shown at 3l in Figure '1. The pivot portions 3l extend through preformed openings 32 in the supporting walls 24, and after the-parts have been assembled the extreme ends of the portions 3l are crimped outwardly by means of a suitable tool, or otherwise deformed or treated, to lock the parte in assembled condition. V

In accordance with my present invention, a strip 33 of non-corrodible material or metal `is arranged against the outer face of each wall 24 to serve as a common non-corrodible washer for all vof the pivotal connections between the wail 2f; and the corresponding set of ends ofthe blades 2E. i 33 is associated with the wall 24 before the pivot ends 3| of the blades are inserted, and that the strip 33 is provided with a set of spaced openings which are aligned with the openings 32. Whereas the openings 32, however, are preferably slightly larger than the pivot portion that passes through them, the holes in the strip 3'3 are preferably of such size that each pivot portion 3i will lit rather snugly.

A separate lock-washer 34 may be provided, if desired, at each pivot connection, to rigidify' the structure and to assist in` retaining the blades 25 in any angular position in which they may be set when the register is installed. c

It will also be observed (Figure '1) that the Wall 24 is slightly deformed inwardly adjacent to each of the openings 32. This is optional, but isa preferred construction which serves to afford a desirable clearance between the end edge 35 of each b1ade'25 and the adjacent inner face of vthe wall 2li. v

The non-corrodible strip 33 is of great advantage because it obviates the necessity for ernplcying a separate washer in connection with each pivot connection, also because it affords a non-corrodible bearing for each pivot..v

Referring now to the rear set of louver-blades, attention is particularly directed to Figures 1, 4,Y 5, and 8. Each blade, it will be observed, is preferably composed of a single blankof suitable sheet metal having one of its `longitudinal edges rolled back to form a circular contour 36. The ends of each circular portion are not extended,

It to be understood that the stripv however, as in the case of the blades 25, but cooperate with pivot pins which are mounted in the supporting walls 23. In the embodiment of Figures 1-5, each pin consists of an element 31 having an enlarged head 38 at its outer end, the pin being inserted through a preformed opening in the wall 23. Lying against the inner surface of each wall 23 is a non-corrodible strip 39 similar to the strip 33 hereinbefore described. The strip 39 is ,provided with openings which register or align with the preformed openings in each wall 23, and serves as a common washer for all of the pivot connections which it traverses. Each pin 31 is also of non-corrodible material.

The blades 26-23 are associated with their respective pivot pins 31 by tting the ends of the circular regions r355 over the corresponding aligned pins 31, and then crimping or otherwise fastening each bearing portion to the pin on which it is mounted. This is intended to be indicated in Figure 5. While an ordinary crimping operation may be `suitable for this purpose, any other suitable means may be employed to accomplish the desired assembly.

In operation, it will be observed that each of the blades has an end edge. (such as that shown at 40 in Figure 5) whichrubs against the noncorrodiblestrip 39 during pivotal movements of the louver blade. This contact may be used to advantage, if desired, for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the frictional resistance to any desired extent.

The employment of the non-corrodible pivot pins 31 and the non-corrodible strips 39 affords an efficient wear-resistant articulation at each pivot region, and the device may therefore be relied upony to operate smoothly and eficiently over longv periods of time. v

The blades 2G, 21, and 28 are pivotally interconnected, as hereinbefore stated, by the links 2li. These links may be associated in any desired manner with upturne'd ears 4i provided at the opposite endsrl of the louverblades. I have shown one convenient way of accomplishing this v by means of so called collar pins 42 (Figure 8). Each pin has a medial flange or collar 43 which' lies betweenl the ear 4l and the link 29 after the parts have beenA assembled. The outer andinner ends of the pin are deformed or upset to form heads, such as the -outer head 44, after the various parts have been brought into proper relationship. It is not necessarythat this crimping be performed on each of the pins 42. It is sufficient if only a selected set of pins, e. g., the pins associated with the blades 26 and 28, are clamped or crimped into this headed condition.

Each ofthe pins 42 is composed of non-corrodible metal, and these pivot regions are therefore also guarded against any impairment ofsmooth reliable operation over long periods of use.

To control the movements of the rear blades, I provide-a handle 45 which is fastened to one of the blades. In accordance with my invention, this handle is secured to the blade at a point midway between the supporting end walls 23. This providesl for balanced operation, and avoids any distortion or jamming that might occur if the blade-moving force were applied to: one or the other of the endsof the blade.`

In the illustrated construction, I have shown the handle 45 in the form of av heavy wire-like element secured to the forward face of the upper l blade 26 by means of welding or the like. A reinforcement plate 46 is advantageously employed to strengthen the blade at the region on which the handle 45 is attached. The handle is angularly shaped, as shown in Figure 4, and is provided at its forward end with a loop adapted to receive the finger of an operator or any hook or equivalent tool which might be employed to control the movements of the louver blades. The handle 45 projects forwardly through the space between two adjacent blades 25, so that the loop at the forward end is always readily available for engagement after the register has been installed.

The rear ends of the blades 25, 21, and 23, adjacent to the opposed ears 4l, are angulated as shown in Figure 4 to allow the louvers to overlap each other when they are brought into a mutually closed relationship, i. e., into positions in a single plane substantially parallel to the front face of the register as a whole. When thus adjusted the end portions of the blades 26-28 rest against abutments 41 (see Figure 5). The rear free end of each blade engages over the circular region 36 of the next adjacent blade, and the rear free end of the blade 28 encounters the rear edge of the lower supporting wall 24. An added piece 48 may be used to advantage in connection with the blade 23 to assure a rm closure of the register under these circumstances.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have illustrated a modied construction by means of Which a non-corrodible pivot connection may be afforded in a somewhat different manner. In Figure 9 I have shown two opposed supporting walls 23 between which a set of louver blades are to be pivotally mounted. I have illustratively shown a blade 21 which may, if desired, be identical in structural nature with the blade 21 hereinbefore described. The pivot pins 50 are associated with the walls 23 in a unique manner as indicated most clearly in Figure 10.

In carrying out this phase of my present invention, the plate or wall 23" is rst provided with the desired number of spaced openings. A pin 55 is then inserted into each opening. Each pin is of non-corrodible metal having an enlarged head I at the rear end. Such a pin, in its original form, is shown at the right of Figure 10. The wall 23', with the pins in place, is then mounted on a suitably-shaped jig 52 which is provided with spaced recesses to accommodate the heads 5|. The pins are then successively subjected to the action of a special tool 53 which is of cylindrical shape and which has a longitudinal bore 54 of slightly less diameter than the diameter of the shank of each of the pins 50. The lower edge 55 of this bore serves as a shearing edge, and the outer edge 56 has a similar shearing or cutting eifect.

The tool 53 is mounted in a drill press or similar machine whereby it may be forcibly brought downwardly into operative relation to the pin positionedbeneath it. When thus forced downwardly, the cutting edge 55 performs a shearing or shaving action upon the shank of the pin 59, partially severing a thin layer of metal from the surface of the pin. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 10, and it will be understood that this figure is exaggerated and. not drawn to scale.

Upon further advance of the tool 53, this partially severed metal is forced under pressure against the face of the wall 23 thereby forming an integral collar 51` The outer contour of this collar is controlled by the cutting edge 56.

The tool 53 is then raised and the jig shifted so that the next pin is brought into position for a similar operation.

The ultimate result is shown at the left of Figure 10, and it will be observed that a noncorrodible Apivot has been rmly secured to the Wall 23. This pivot has an enlarged head on one side of the Wall, an integral collar on the other side of the wall, and a projecting pivot formed by the shaved inner portion of the original pin. The enlarged head 5l and the integral collar 51 lie against opposite faces, respectively, of the wall 23', and rmly hold the pivot pin in proper position.

After all pivot pins have been properly formed and mounted, the parts of Figure 9 (including such other louver blades as may be needed to complete the structure) are brought together, this partial assembly is then brought into proper relationship to the other elements of the frame, and the frame is then integrated by welding or otherwise. Each louver blade is thus rmly and efficiently anchored in pivotal relationship to the two supporting walls between which it is mounted. There is an adequate clearance between the end edge of each louver blade and the adjacent surface of the supporting Wall, and the pivot connections are all of non-corrodible character assuring a long and useful operation for the structure.

From a broader aspect, it will be understood that this Inode of assembling a pivot with a supporting Wall, and of associating an element such as a louver blade with a supporting structure such as a register wall, may have a Wider applicability than in the field of registers of the character described.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated may -be modied by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a register, a plurality of louver blades, a supporting wall arranged in a plane perpendicular to said blades and ,provided with spaced openings, means extending through said openings for pivotally securing one set of blade ends to said wall, and a strip of non-corrodible material arranged on said wall and provided with a set of openings aligned with said rst-named openings, said strip serving as a common washer for all of said pivotal connections.

2. In a register, the combination of elements set forth in claim l, said strip being disposed on the side of said wall which faces said blades, each blade having an end edge arranged to rub against said strip during pivotal movements of said blade.

HARRY W. FIEDLER. 

